WE ARE ALMOST THERE!
It has been our long-term goal to plant a church in Dakar that would use national languages (Wolof and Serer languages targeted) and worship in ways relevant to the culture. This directly fulfills WorldVenture’s global priority of establishing healthy, reproducing churches. The church has now grown enough that they can pay utilities bills and give the pastor money each month. We are only asking for things that will improve the building and add lasting value for the congregation.
THIS IS WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE:
* December 11, 2022, we held our first church service.
* April 2022 our colleague, Jane Powley, opened a community library on the 3rd floor.
* February 2022 we were handed the keys to the finished building.
* April 29, 2020 we broke ground on the building.
* February 2015 we purchased the land in a central, well-traveled place in Dakar
Through the generosity of the church, we have raised:
– $140 for 4 large white boards for the conference / teaching floor
– $2000 to furnish the pastor’s apartment
– $200 for equipment to cook and serve for church fellowships
The library provides books and a quiet place for students to study and meets a need in the community. It also allows people to feel comfortable and familiar with our church community building. The Lord has opened many doors for us to share our hope in Christ with the students who come and some parents as well. The library cost about $3500 a year to run.
WHY DID YOU START WITH A BUILDING?
Senegal’s culture places a high value on physical place, especially in the realm of the sacred. This is true to the degree that it is difficult for a non-believing Senegalese to take seriously a group of believers meeting in a residence for worship. This is why we were so convicted and committed to building a permanent structure that could be used for generations to come.
According to the national Christian leaders, the Senegalese will respect a place dedicated to the worship of God, they will come and hear the truth preached, and some will give their lives to Christ. We want to embrace this as a means to potentially breaking through the wall of Islam that has largely rejected decades of Christian missionary efforts in Senegal.
THIS IS WHAT WE STILL NEED FUNDS FOR:
* Potted plants to add beauty to the building (Approximately $300)
* Expenses to run the library until the church grows enough to support it (Approximately $3,500/year)
* Books to add to the library (We will purchase more as we have funds)
* Mini kitchen and serving area for the conference / teaching floor. ($7000)
* Projection equipment for the conference / teaching floor. ($2,000?)
* Church guard (Approximately $280/month)
Blogs and Articles on WorldVenture:
Building a Church Legacy in Senegal
